So, who is Ernest Haeckel, and why should you care that you can get his work for free? If you’re not familiar with him, you may not be an uber science nerd. Congratulations, there is hope for you yet! If you didn’t need this post because you already have every illustration Haeckle has ever done plastered all over your home, as my husband and I do, sorry but you are doomed to a life of nerdom. Just in case you are one of those cool kids who slept through high school bio, I’ll help you out. Haeckel accomplished a lot for someone who most people have never heard of. He coined the term ecology, he suggested the kingdom Protista, he even developed the taxanomic distinction of phylum. However, he is best known as a contemporary of Darwin who used his “scientific” illustrations to support his Recapitulation Theory. This theory states that “ontongeny recapitulates phylogeny,” which is just a very intelligent-sounding way of saying that embryonic development reflects the evolutionary development of a given species, such as humans. This theory put Haeckle at odds with many in religious and scientific communities, especially once people recognized exactly how much artistic liberty he took in his “scientific” representations.
Haeckel's "Scientific" Illustration of Fetal Development
However, nature nuts worldwide since 1904 when his Kunstformen der Natur (Artforms of Nature) was published have fallen head over heels in love with his incredible, albeit stylized, illustrations of everything from hummingbirds, to carnivorous plants, to boxfish. Now, thanks to the good ole reliable internet, you can legally get these prints in high resolution format for free! So make sure you are stocked up on the ink for your printer and enjoy!!
 
Just go here: http://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/Kunstformen_der_Natur
I have Haekel prints hanging in my home. I also have stamps with toxic marine life from around the world. Nerd Queen!
We have his prints up as well… We have yet to begin with a nerdy stamp collection though. All hail the Nerd Queen! You are an inspiration! 🙂
I see a Cowfish!!!!
Ashleigh this is AWESOME … TY for bringing this subject and sharing … and allow me the following please … in my view point this is not a subject for nerds nor is anyone that likes it a nerd … quite the opposite!
Here is a link with preview to the book Kunstformen der Natur http://books.google.com/books/about/Kunstformen_der_Natur.html?id=IKpxjelsKgAC
Pedro Nuno
Oh hey Pedro, own your nerdiness! It’s a badge of honor!
TY Christine for your kind explanation … I now understand the real meaning 🙂
Yes, in our circle of friends, being called a nerd is a compliment. To me it means that science and nature and all the mysteries of the universe provide more wonder, entertainment, and conversation than we could hope for in a lifetime, without ever having to give a thought to a super bowl, a reality show, or a Kardashian marriage.
TY Todd for kindly clarifying 🙂 I understand and I absolutely agree 🙂
Yes, please don’t misunderstand, in my book a nerd is a very good thing to be.